BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Orchids Cochleata Orchids

I was so excited when I got my Orchid newsletter profiling the Cochleata Orchids. I have had an Encyclia Cochleata for 10 years. One bulb was given to me as a gift in a 6 inch clay pot in fernbark and I named her Jezabelle. I finally got the courage to repot her this past spring and I now have 3 pots of 3 older bulbs and they are pushing up new ones in each pot, She blooms without fail for me almost all year round. I repotted her in coconut husk chunks, and all 3 Jezabelles seem to like it. She has surprised so many of my friends over the years, because when most people think of orchids, they think of phaels and others with big colorful flowers, until they reallay take a look at this gorgeous little bloomer. If you have a good nose, early in the mornig when the little blooms open up, the sticky nectar has a light lemony sweet smell. I have a phael that has pretty spring greenish yellow flowers on her in the late winter early spring, but I wouldn't trade my Jezabelle Girls for anything!! I have talked to greenhouse owner who has orchids and he had not heard of my orchid nor seen one before, and wanted a bulb from her when I repotted her, but haven't been able topart with them yet as I want to make syrea ll are weel rooted and growing well. They don't seem to be a well known orchid here in the Midwest. I have them on pebble trays in an east window and they do very well. Thank you, Susan, for profiling this wonderful easy little orchid!!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/beamedup.gif" alt="" />

I've never grown the Cochleata's either. But you seem to get such joy from yours, maybe I should look into them, too! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Glad to hear that yours are doing so well. I'm surprised that you don't see more around the midwest. Almost any orchid vendor has them and they aren't very expensive either.

catt lady, if you can find one, I highly suggest it. they aren't showy, but soooo easy to grow and not demanding at all. I really do enjoy my Jezabelle and her offspring!! She is the only plant that I have that I have had for this long. I got her in Sept of 1197, the same weekend Princess Diana died. I have been homeless, moved numerous times, and she always goes with me, even when I didn't have anything else, I had my little orchid <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />. Which proves they are a tough little plant. The blooms really do look like little octopi, or even little spiders. Keep in touch and let me know if you find one!! Don't forget to give her a name!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />lol

sorry sept of 1997!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Greetings -
My cochleata has not been without at least one flower all the time since June 2003. The character John LaRoche (the thief in _The Orchid Thief_) described it as "a pitiful little thing" but I think it has a lot of charm, and the plant and foliage are attractive as well. One of the nicest ones I ever saw was mounted on a 2' wood log at an orchid show; it had over a dozen inflorescences, and was really a knockout.
This plant has been taxonomized, though, and is now Prosthechea cochleata - now, isn't that easy to say?
Regards - Nancy

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I have just signed up.... so bear with me. I have begun to grow orchids. I have one that I have had for about a year, and it has sprouted a new flowering stem with lots of buds. It also hac a lot of other sprouting stem like shoots that are not like the flowering stem. They are light green with a bulbous tip. What are these and wht should I do with them?